Lock binder



May 30, 1933- H.'G. BucHAN LOCK BINDER Filed Nov. 18, 1931 Patented May 30, 13933 UNTED STATES HUG-H G. BUCHAN, OF PHILADELPHA, PENNSYLVANIA LOCK BINDER Application led November 18, 1931. Serial No. 575,722.

This invention relates to a binder lool; which is adapted for releasably locking two compression members together, but which is adapted for other uses.

It is an object of this invention to provide a locking mechanism upon one of the compression members for engaging suitable impaling or locking posts for holding the sheets therebetween in compressed relation, but which may be readily released bythe manual manipulation of levers which are adapted to be given an upward pull and which carry the upper compression member therewith.

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and dened in the appended claims. Y

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred form of this invention, and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the diii'erent views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a pair of compression members which are latched together by locking mechanism involving this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1 and illustrating the casing removed Jfrom one of the locking mechanisms.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon the line III-III of Figure 2 illustrating one of the locking mechanisms in section.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the locking mechanism in its unlocked position.

In connection with this invention, there has been illustrated a lower clamping head or compression member 1 of a loose leaf binder and an upper clamping head or compression member 2. Posts 3 extend 'from the lower member 1 to which they are at- 45 tached and extend through suitable apertures in the upper member 2. These posts 3 also extend through apertures in the bearings 4 which are attached to the upper member 2 as will later more fully appear.

The members 4 are provided with upwardly diverging apertures or slots 5A which comimunicate adjacent their lower ends with the apertures throughwhich the posts pass, and within these slots are positioned suitable rollers G-which are adapted` for rictionally engaging the posts 3 for locking the upper member thereto when the rollers are in the lower portion of the slots. The upper outer portionsoil the bearings 4 are provided with channel-like recesses inwhich leaf springs 8 arelocated for bearing upon the top or the rollers 6 and Aurging the same downwardly into frictional engagement with the pests 3.

Thev outerV ends of the leaf springs 8 are anchored beneath washers 9 positioned in the channel grooves 7 and clamped against the bottom of such grooves by means ot rivets 10 which extend through the clamping members 2 and securethe casing 11 which extends over the bearings as shown in the right hand view of Figures 1 and 2.

AV bifurcatedlever12 having arms 13 that straddle thebearings 4 is associated with each roller 6 for elevating the same. It will be noted that these levers have lupturned handle portions atthe ends of the bearings' 4 and at the opposite ends thereof are turned upwardly under the rollers 6 and are provided vwith offset shoulders that are piv-H otally supported inthe notch 14 in thetop of the bearings -4 located between vthe two rollers". The outer ends of the levers l12 normally restupon the top of the compression member 2 and in elevating the same the :tul- Y crum in the-notch 14.

I'lr'xiinlock thebinder itis onlyneces'sary for the 'operator to engage thetwo levers of one bearing between a thumb and linger' ofV one hand draw the same together, while the twolevers in connection with the other bear-v ing may be Yengaged vby the thumbfand a finger of the ysecond hand ina similarway. While the thumb and iinger are drawn'to? gether they are" also given an upward p ull for elevating the upper-compression member 2. It' will be noted that as theseleversf are elevated they will engage beneath thev ends ofthe rollers 6 which extend ybeyond the sides of the bearings 4 and shift the same upwardly in the diverging slots and out of engagement with the posts 13.

I/Vhen the upper compression member 2 has been unlocked and is in its elevated position it will be frictionally locked in such po'- sition as soon as the operator releases the lever 12. The springs 8 will however yield sufficiently so that the upper compression member 2 may be readily forced downwardly by merely exerting pressure thereon, and as soon as it is in its lowered and compressed position, the springs 8 will immediately force the rollers 6 into frictional engagement with the posts.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a no vel form of locking mechanism has been provided for locking a pair of compression members in adjusted position and in which the locking mechanism can bereadily released by a force which tends t0 separate thevtwo clamping members and in which the locking mechanism will yield so that the two members may be forced together without disengaging the frictional elements from the posts. It will hence bev appreciated that not only is the structure novel but it also produces a novel operation of the parts.

I am aware that many changes may be made andnumerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range withvout departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, dol not purpose limiting the Patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

Ll. In a binder, a compression member having'a post thereon, a second compression member having an aperture for receiving said post, a bearing attached to said second member and having an aperture for receiving'said post and upwardly diverging slots extendingV from said bearing aperture, friction elements located in said slots, yielding` means for urging said friction elementsinto engagement with said posts, and a pair of bifurcated levers pivoted to said bearings and straddling the same and operable for simultaneously elevating said friction elements. x

2. In a binder, a lower clamping member having a post thereon, an upper clamping member having an aperture for receiving said post, a bearing attached to said upperv clamping member and having an aperture through` which said post passes, said bearing having diverging slots extending from said bearing aperture, rollers mounted in said slots, yielding means acting upon said rollers for urging the same into contact with said post, and levers having parallel arms straddling said bearing :beneath said rollers pivoted to said bearing for elevating said rollers, said leversl being adapted to be engaged by the thumb and linger of an operators having a fulcrum groove between said friction elements, and a pair of levers, each straddling a portion'of said bearing and fulcrumed in said fulcrum groove.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

vHUGH G. ,BUCI-IAN.

llO 

